The Nepal government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' on Monday won the vote of confidence in parliament, winning the second floor test within three months after the formation of the new government. Prachanda was sworn in as the country's Prime Minister in December, 2022. The motion moved by Prachanda secured the support of 172 members in the 275-member House of representatives. A total of 262 members were present, while 89 opposed the motion. The 68-year-old Maoist leader needed at least 138 votes out of the 275 lawmakers. Earlier on January 10, a total of 268 members had supported the motion in the first mandatory vote of confidence as his party did not have its majority in the House. Eleven political parties including Nepali Congress, CPN-Maoist Centre, Rastriya Swatantra Party, CPN-Unified Socialist, Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, Lokatantrik Samajwadi Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Janamat Party among others voted in favour of Prachanda. CPN-UML and Rastriya Prajatantra Party voted against him. Nepal Workers and Peasants Party abstained. Prachanda was compelled to seek the vote of confidence after two of the major constituents of the government — K P Oli-led Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist and the Pro-Monarchy Rashtriya Prajatantra Party — withdrew their support after the PM decided to back the Presidential candidate Ramchandra Paudel fielded by the Nepali Congress against the earlier understanding with the UML. Prachanda's victory paves the way for the expansion of the cabinet by inducting ministers from ruling alliance including the largest party in the Parliament — Nepali Congress, which has already announced plans to join the government. The expansion of the cabinet is likely by Friday to give a full shape to the government, as indicated by the PM. The PM, while moving the motion, accused the two erstwhile coalition partners of trying to inject element of destabilisation in politics much against the understanding at the time of forming the government on December 26. WITH PTI inputs
